10 Most Used Functions in Excel
Here are the top 10 most used functions in Excel that you should know. Check our functions section for easy-to-understand guides and more helpful functions.
Tip: Download the Excel file, then insert the given functions to practice.
💎 1. COUNT
In Excel, the COUNT function helps you calculate the number of cells containing numeric data.
Note: Use the COUNTA function to find the number of non-empty cells. COUNTA stands for count all.
💎 2. SUM
Use the SUM function in Excel to calculate the total of a range of cells. The SUM function calculates the total of all numbers in column A.
Note: The SUM function can be used to calculate the total of an entire row. For example, this formula =SUM(5:5) calculates the total of all values in the fifth row.
💎 3. IF
The IF function evaluates a condition and provides one output if the condition is true and another output if it is false.
Explanation: The IF function checks the score: it returns “Pass” for 60 or higher, and “Fail” for less than 60. To fill the other cells with this formula, select cell C2, then drag the handle at its lower-right corner down to C6.
💎 4. AVERAGE
The AVERAGE function helps you calculate the average of any group of numbers. (no rocket science here). The formula below gives the mean value of the top three numbers in the range A1 to A6.
Explanation: The LARGE function returns a set of values: {20, 15, 10}. The AVERAGE function uses this set of values as input arguments and results in 15.
💎 5. COUNTIF
Using the COUNTIF function below, you can count cells that contain a star (*) and any characters after it.
Explanation: The asterisk (*) matches any number of characters, including zero. For detailed information and examples, visit our COUNTIF function page.
💎 6. SUMIF
The SUMIF function adds up the numbers in cells B1 to B5 only when the matching cells in A1 to A5 have the word “circle” followed by exactly one extra character.
Explanation: The symbol (?) corresponds to exactly one character. Find more information and examples of the SUMIF function on our page.
💎 7. VLOOKUP
Here, the VLOOKUP function searches for 53 (first argument) within the first column of the red table (second argument). By setting the third argument to 4, VLOOKUP looks for the result in the fourth column of the red table, in the same row where the match is found.
Note: Learn more about the VLOOKUP function by visiting our dedicated page.
💎 8. MIN
The MIN function helps you find the minimum value. It’s as simple as it sounds.
💎 9. MAX
Apply the MAX function to find the largest value in the data.
Note: To learn more about Excel and its statistical features, please visit our chapter on statistical functions.
💎 10. Excel SUMPRODUCT Function
In Excel, the SUMPRODUCT function adds together the results of multiplying numbers from corresponding cells in one or more ranges.
Explanation: This example shows how the SUMPRODUCT function operates: it multiplies each set of values and then sums them. (2 × 1000) + (4 × 250) + (4 × 100) + (2 × 50) = 3500.
2/11 Completed! Learn more about formulas & functions ➝
Next Chapter: Keyboard Shortcuts